Solihull
Moors confirmed their place in the Vanarama National League for another season
as they took all three points against second-placed Tranmere Rovers at Prenton
Park.

Goals from
Jamey Osborne and Alex Reid completed the great escape for Mark Yates’ men, who
were 12 points from safety around Christmas time.

Moors had the
first effort on target as Osborne launched a long throw into the box that was
met by the head of Fiacre Kelleher, who could only divert straight into the
arms of Rhys Taylor.

Osborne
himself then forced a diving save out of the home goalkeeper as he picked up
the ball just outside the edge of the area, before curling a left-footed strike
that had to be tipped away from danger.

Another
chance then presented itself for Yates’ men as Osborne and Kyle Storer led
the Moors break on the 25-minute mark. The latter then picked out Omari
Sterling-James who drifted a first time shot over the bar.

Then, in the
32nd minute, Solihull took the lead. Jermaine Hylton did brilliantly
to close down the Tranmere defence, before winning the ball and setting up
Osborne who drove a low shot past Taylor and into the back of the net.

Rovers almost
breached the Moors backline when Devarn Green dinked a ball through to Elliott
Rokka, but Max O’Leary was quick off his line and gathered safely.

On the stroke
of half-time, Osborne tried a cheeky effort from 40-yards in an attempt to
catch Taylor off guard but, after spilling the initial shot, the ‘keeper
collected at the second attempt.

Half-time: Tranmere Rovers 0-1
Solihull Moors

The first
chance of the second period fell to Micky Mellon’s side as Rovers pounced on a
loose kick by O’Leary, before Jack Dunn met a cross in the middle only to fire
well over the bar.

The Moors
then got that all-important second goal with around 25 minutes remaining after
a clinical finish from substitute Reid. The forward was threaded through down
the left-hand side by Sterling-James before unleashing a low and powerful
effort from a tight angle that rocketed into the far corner, leaving Taylor
with no chance.

However, just
a few moments later, Rovers grabbed a goal back. Green picked the ball up
before biding his time and striking a low effort past O’Leary to reduce the
score line back to one.

Almost
immediately after that, Reid found himself through again after pouncing on a
mistake. This time, though, Taylor took control as he got down low to save with
his legs.

Chris Lait
entered the field with just under 20 minutes to play and the lively winger
almost caught out Taylor as he swung in a teasing free-kick that had to be
palmed away.

Some great
work from George Carline to win the ball back on the byline then gave Moors an
excellent chance to regain their two-goal lead from the spot as he was pulled
down. Reid stepped up, but Taylor stayed strong and saved, as the opportunity
went begging.

Minutes
later, Darren Carter’s free kick deflected into the path of Storer who unleased
a pile-driver from distance that, via a deflection, was expertly tipped away by
Taylor who had to readjust.

Moors
controlled proceedings for the remaining minutes to see out the game and
complete what has been a remarkable second-half of the season, while extending their unbeaten run to 10 games in the process.